Rannerdale - a carpet of bluebells

Time taken approximately 3 hours
Difficulty of walk (1-10) 3

Rannerdale Knotts and Rannerdale valley are another of my favourite walks.

I'd heard about the bluebells that flower from mid-April to mid-May and on my first visit I climbed the Knotts, coming from Buttermere village, and completely missed them! That day, and a lot of days through the summer, Buttermere is busy and its difficult to get a parking space from that side.

This walk, however, is from a little rough parking area on the side of Crummock and on the Buttermere to Lorton road. There are actually 2-3 such parking areas but the one I choose is in the shadow of Grasmoor and has small mound around it.  I've been a number of times, even Bank Holidays, and always got a parking space - can't promise though!

From the parking area, then get your bearings first and the walk will become straight forward.  Crummock is on your right and as you look ahead of you there is a large triangular fell and to its left is a valley working up to ridge at the top of it - This is Rannerdale valley.

Head on the footpath towards the valley, over the stream and veering away from the road, which winds its way towards Buttermere, and towards Rannerdale valley.

In that mid-April to mid-May period then the bluebells start to come into view and as you walk nearer the carpet of purple/blue, it takes you into another world. The carpet of colour and little rolling mounds make you feel like you've been transported into Teletubbyland.

The fenced off footpath winds through the bluebells and comes to a narrow footbridge over the beck. Cross the bridge, through the gate at the far side and turn left and take the long winding walk up the valley. Be sure to keep stopping and glancing back to get a different view of the bluebells and Crummock beyond, especially as you go higher.

As you climb the valley, the footing becomes rougher in places before becoming grassier near the top. The top of the valley is characterised by a junction of meting footpaths. This route meets the paths up from Buttermere in front of you, the path up to Whiteless Pike on your left and our turn to the right. Turn right and you are quickly on the ridge which climbs up to Rannerdale Knotts.

From this ridge, Buttermere comes into view and soon Crummock does too. The ridge walk climbs steadily towards a summit but this isn't Rannerdale Knotts summit. Its a little tricky to navigate around the rocky summit so choose your footing carefully. Once past this false summit then the real summit comes into view.

Beyond the Knotts summit then the footing is tricky. The little gully looks to be taking you right but at the bottom you're looking to take a left down a steeper path which eventually becomes steep steps. Nothing to worry about but take it steady and check out the beautiful Crummock.

The steep steps give way to a few grassy paths again and there's an opportunity to stop and have a drink with the gorgeous view of Crummock water. The path you need is turning towards Crummock and winding, sometimes steep and rocky, back to the road.

Once back on the road, then you quickly come to another little car park on your right. Turn into it, past the cars and through a gate at the back. You're back on a footpath heading through the bluebells again.

Following the contours of the foot of the fell bearing right, then you're soon back at the footbridge you crossed earlier. Cross it again and turn left back through the fenced off path through the carpet of purple/blue.

Follow the path back to the car park.
A great walk, thoroughly recommended.